MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Myrtle Beach World Amateur scratch division played one more round on Friday, with the top-three and ties squaring off in what amounted to an 18-hole playoff, though 54-hole leader Anthony Baker began the day with his four-shot lead.

Baker, a former Mini Tour player from High Point, N.C, led by two after the first round with 70, but that lead was cut in half during Wednesday's second round after he posted 74. In round three, Baker shot 73 and extended his lead to four. On Friday, Baker played 18 more holes while facing off with second-place holder Ryan Reynolds, as well as Eric King and Matt Corbitt who were tied for third. Reynolds had four shots to make up while King and Corbitt had five.

Baker was crowned champ Friday afternoon, going wire-to-wire at the 72-hole championship. He posted 1-over par 73 in his fourth round and finished ahead of Reynolds, King, and Corbitt.

The tournament, which hosts around 3,500 golfers each year at more than 40 Myrtle Beach area courses, is in its second year of including a scratch division.

Meanwhile, it was Tae Kim claiming the overall champion. The Richmond, Va. native shot a net 65 (gross 85) at Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course to win the Flight Winner’s Playoff and claim the mantle of World Champion at the 32nd annual Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship. Kim bested Steve Locke of Lubbock, Texas by two strokes.

After rain washed out Monday’s round for the majority of the field, the weather was idyllic the rest of the week. The Dye Club, which has been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, was in pristine condition and provided an excellent test of golf for the Flight Winner’s Playoff.

"The largest amateur golf tournament in
the
world" now has a gross division. The event
attracts
3500
players annually. Barefoot Resort is just
one of
over 40 of Myrtle Beach area’s
championship
courses on which this tournament is
contested.
The winner of each flight competes on the
fifth
day for the overall title Senior Division
ages 55-
64, Super-Senior ages 65 and up.